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Despite his extensive set of skills, his years of experience, and his profound knowledge after his training and work as an assassin, Bucky Barnes feels that the only thing he has to add to the team is marksmanship and the physical enhancements provided by the Serum. That discouraging reality makes him feel like he’s back under Hydra’s control, except for the “no killing unless absolutely necessary or unavoidable” and the fact that he isn’t being brainwashed anymore.
Still, he believes that there’s more that he could do for the team and for the people they help; more he could offer than just good aim and brute strength. But since he isn’t working alone on missions, nor is he wholly trusted by some of his teammates, he isn’t really given much to do except helping the others.
Even when Barnes refuses to acknowledge it himself, nor would he admit it to anyone who asked, the fact that he isn’t as helpful as he would like to be is starting to wear him thin. He just wishes he could contribute with his own input when it came to strategizing, helping with victims, or interrogating criminals. Although, he does understand that that’s something he has to earn first; the trust of those Avengers that are still wary of him.
For a long time, that seems like an impossible achievement. Not the “earning his teammates trust” bit, but the part about doing more during missions. At least that’s the case until one particular day. The Avengers find themselves helping a small community that’s suffering collateral damage thanks to a turf war between two crime organizations from different cities nearby.
They got there in time to help avoid casualties, but they end up running into a bit of trouble when they find out from a group of hostages that they rescued that there’s a bomb planted somewhere below the town, ready to blow up at any second. Given an electromagnetic pulse that left the entire area without electricity, Tony’s suit can’t be used to scan structures looking for the bomb.
The heroes, as well as the civilians still lingering around, become increasingly anxious about not being able to locate the explosives. Even with the Avengers doing their best alongside some local authorities to evacuate the town, they fear that they might not be able to rescue everyone in time. That is until help comes from the most unexpected person: a little girl.
It turns out that the girl (who was among a group of hostages that Steve, Natasha, and Sam rescued) managed to see where the bomb was planted, which would give the team of heroes the lead that they’ve been looking for. Unfortunately, they are unable to figure oubnnnt where the place is since she’s deaf-mute and none of them know sign language, not even the other hostages. And, of course, having the girl try to lead them towards it would be too dangerous for her.
Trying to get her to write directions doesn’t help either since she doesn’t know how to read or write. As some of the other townspeople explain, she learned sign language from an old woman that has passed away. And given the town’s general poverty, sending kids to school isn’t a common thing, least of all someone with a disability that would require someone to know sign language as well.
It all seems futile for a second there, with the problem returning to square one until Bucky returns from having escorted a group of civilians out of the town. Upon learning the situation they’re in, he reveals that he does know sign language. Although, he warns that it’s not universal, contrary to what some people may think, but it somewhat varies from language to language. That means, for example, that English sign language and Spanish sign language aren’t the same.
Also, since she was taught by a local woman and not in a school, her vocabulary might be limited and very local. However, there are similarities present across most sign languages, and since Bucky knows the signed version of all the languages he speaks, he might be able to understand her enough to find the bomb.
Only problem is that he’s probably a little rusted since he learned decades ago and hasn’t used it much nor in a long time. Still, it’s worth the try. Thus, the Sergeant crouches down in front of the little girl after getting Steve’s “go ahead”.
The girl is a little intimidated by him, but Barnes quickly assures her (as best he can) that he won’t hurt her and that he only wants to help. He asks where the bomb is, but the shy girl remains silent, avoiding eye contact and instead of looking transfixed at his metal arm. He then asks her if she wants to touch it, assuring her again that he won’t do anything bad to her.
She does dare to touch the cold metal limb, giggling in surprise when she notices the low temperature of it. She then asks him if it hurts, and he answers that only a little. After that, she shows him her rudimentary prosthetic foot, a consequence of the turf war that has been going on for too long.
Seeing that, Bucky mimics the girl and asks about the pain, getting a similar answer to his own from her. The communication between the two is rough, but they seem to understand each other enough to pull off a broken conversation.
With the girl feeling a little more confident and comfortable, she finally explains what she saw. When Bucky repeats what he just learned, one of the other locals translates the girl’s confusing words into clear directions that the Avengers can follow.
Thanking the girl, Bucky makes to stand up and leave with Steve and some of the others, knowing that the people they rescued are safe for the time being, but a tiny hand on his metal one stops him. When he looks down, he notices the little girl.
Seeing that she doesn’t want Buck to go, Steve tells him to stay with the victims, keeping them company and making sure they are safe until they can be evacuated with the rest. He agrees, understanding that the girl trusts him more than any of the other heroes. That, in turn, makes him feel incredibly warm and appreciated in a way he never had before; feeling like this time he’s doing more than the usual, even going as far as to comfort victims.